Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2025 and comes into force on 6th March 2025.

(2) This Order extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.

(3) This Order does not affect the allocation of policy development grants( 2) by the Electoral Commission in accordance with the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2006( 3) in relation to the year ending with 31st March 2025.

Policy development grants

2.  The Scheme set out in the Schedule has effect for the purpose of the making by the Electoral Commission of policy development grants on or after 1st April 2025.

Revocation

3.  The following are revoked—

(a) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2006;

(b) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2014( 4);

(c) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2015( 5);

(d) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015( 6);

(e) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2016( 7);

(f) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2017( 8);

(g) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2018( 9);

(h) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2020( 10);

(i) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2020( 11);

(j) the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) (Amendment) Order 2022( 12).

Article 2

Schedule POLICY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS SCHEME

Interpretation

1.—(1) In this Scheme—

“ relevant general election”, in respect of a year, means the most recent parliamentary general election before the eligibility day;

“ relevant register”, in respect of a year, means the version of a register of parliamentary electors, maintained in accordance with section 9(1)(a) of the Representation of the People Act 1983( 13), which is published, in accordance withsection 13of the Representation of the People Act 1983( 14), most recently before 2nd February preceding the beginning of the year;

“ year” means a period of twelve months beginning with 1st April.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraphs (3) and (4), in this Scheme “eligibility day”, in respect of a year, means 7th March immediately preceding the beginning of the year.

(3) Sub-paragraph 4 applies where, in respect of a year, the eligibility day would otherwise occur—

(a) on or after the dissolution of Parliament, and

(b) before the day which is the 28th day after the first day on which the new Parliament meets following that dissolution.

(4) Where this sub-paragraph applies, “ eligibility day” means the day which is the 28th day after the first day on which the new Parliament meets following the dissolution of the previous Parliament.

(5) Other terms used both in the Scheme and in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 have the same meaning in this Scheme as they have in that Act.

Meaning of “eligible party”

2.—(1) A party is an “eligible party” for a policy development grant under this Scheme in respect of a year if it is a registered party( 15) that is represented( 16) on the eligibility day.

(2) The Commission must publish a list of eligible parties each year on the eligibility day.

Amount available for allocation by the Commission

3.  The amount available for allocation as policy development grants by the Commission in each year is £2 million.

Allocation between eligible parties

4.  In each year the Commission must allocate the amount available for policy development grants in that year so that each eligible party receives the total of—

(a) the amount determined by dividing £1 million by the number of eligible parties, and

(b) any amount to be received by the party as determined in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 8.

Allocation in respect of England

5.—(1) A qualifying eligible party must receive the amount determined by the formula—

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph, an eligible party is a “qualifying eligible party” if candidates stand nominated in the name of that party on the statement of persons nominated in at least 50% of the parliamentary constituencies in England at the relevant general election( 17).

Allocation in respect of Northern Ireland

6.—(1) A qualifying eligible party must receive the amount determined by the formula—

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph, an eligible party is a “qualifying eligible party” if candidates stand nominated in the name of that party on the statement of persons nominated in at least 50% of the parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland at the relevant general election.

Allocation in respect of Scotland

7.—(1) A qualifying eligible party must receive the amount determined by the formula—

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph, an eligible party is a “qualifying eligible party” if candidates stand nominated in the name of that party in at least 50% of the parliamentary constituencies in Scotland at the relevant general election.

Allocation in respect of Wales

8.—(1) A qualifying eligible party must receive the amount determined by the formula—

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph, an eligible party is a “qualifying eligible party” if candidates stand nominated in the name of that party on the statement of persons nominated in at least 50% of the parliamentary constituencies in Wales at the relevant general election.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order restates, with variations, the Scheme set out in the Elections (Policy Development Grants Scheme) Order 2006. This Scheme governs the making of policy development grants to eligible political parties to assist with the development of policies for inclusion in their manifestos for relevant elections (within the meaning of section 22(5) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)). The Scheme, as provided in the Schedule, has effect in relation to the year commencing on 1st April 2025, and subsequent years.

The Order gives effect to the recommendations of the Electoral Commission without modification.

The amount available for allocation annually by way of grant under the Scheme is £2 million (paragraph 3 of the Schedule). Paragraph 4 of the Schedule sets out how that amount is allocated to eligible parties. An allocation comprises a fixed amount determined by dividing £1 million by the number of eligible parties for the year (paragraph 4(a) of the Schedule) and a variable amount (paragraph 4(b) of the Schedule) determined by attributing a share of £1 million between each of the four nations of the UK, which is calculated by reference to the proportion of the UK electorate for that part of the UK, and then dividing each nation’s share between the qualifying eligible parties in respect of that nation, in accordance with paragraphs 5 to 8 of the Schedule.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.